Leelanau County, MI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Leelanau County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
3 of 87 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Leelanau County compares with Michigan
Leelanau County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Leelanau County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Leelanau County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 29.4 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 44% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.8 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 3.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.16 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 47% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.0% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 35.1% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 2.0× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.7% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 29.7% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.4× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.6% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 9.5% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 54% below the state |
Leelanau County sits below Michigan on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and after dark. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
Leelanau County at a glance: 6.8 people killed per 100 truck crashes (Michigan: 2.1).
Overview
Since 2015, 87 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Leelanau County. They injured 15 people and killed 5.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 54 days.
When crashes happen
July has the most truck crashes, 20.7% of the yearly total, while May has the fewest (1.1%).
November through March accounts for 44.6% of truck crashes here, compared with 44.4% in Michigan.
More truck crashes happen at 2–3 pm than at any other hour (12.6%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 35.1% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck in Leelanau County since 2015: SR-72 (2) and SR-22 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 3 of the truck crashes here, or 3.4%, compared with 3.2% in Michigan.
Route planning tips for Leelanau County fleets
- Plan July schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Leelanau County.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 35.1% of truck crashes here, more than Michigan; schedule winter checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Leelanau County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Leelanau County) |
|---|---|
| SR-72 | 2 |
| SR-22 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Leelanau County) |
|---|---|
| Traverse | 16 |
| West Bay Shore | 10 |
| Center | 4 |
| Manitou | 4 |
| West Bayshore | 4 |
| Kasson | 3 |
| Bugai | 2 |
| Coleman | 2 |
Leelanau County at a glance
| Population | 22,871 |
| Land area | 347.2 sq mi |
| Density | 66 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $88,662 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Leelanau County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 4 | +56% | 0.0 |
| 2010s | 4 | +13% | 0.3 |
| 2020s | 7 | +59% | 0.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 2 a year in the 1990s and 7 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.8 a year in 2016–19 and 0.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Leelanau County
ZIP codes in Leelanau County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Leelanau County
How common are truck crashes in Leelanau County?
Leelanau County has had 87 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 15 people and killing 5.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Leelanau County?
July has the most truck crashes in Leelanau County, 20.7% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Leelanau County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 3 reported crashes in Leelanau County since 2015 (3.4% of truck crashes).
How does Leelanau County compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
Leelanau County records 29.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Leelanau County?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.